Louisiana Water Thrush,/ TURDUS AQUATICUS./ Plant Vulgo. Indian Turnip.
Prints and Maps
Robert Havell Jr. (Engraver)
Robert Havell Sr. (Printer and colorist)
John James Audubon (Designer, draftsman, and publisher)
London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe
West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, South, United States, North America
1830-1839
Ink; Watercolor; Paper (wove)
Aquatint, Etched, Engraved, Hand colored, Painted
1959.0162.012
Object Number1959.0162.012 |
Print (Aquatint)
Louisiana Water Thrush,/ TURDUS AQUATICUS./ Plant Vulgo. Indian Turnip.
Prints and Maps
Gift of Mrs. G. Brooks Thayer
Robert Havell Jr. (Engraver)
1793-1878
Engraver, printer, and colorist for many of the plates of Audubon's Birds of America.
Robert Havell Sr. (Printer and colorist)
1769-1832
By April 1818, it was apparent that Robert Havell Jr. had joined the family business, with the first appearance of a print with the engraver's credit to Robert Havell and Son. By 1822 his younger brother George Havell (1797-1823) was taking on letterpress printing jobs and sharing space in the family premises at 3 Chapel Street. A third sibling, Henry Augustus Havell, later played a central role in the production of The Birds of America. He would often be called upon to work up the outline etchings, to color the "pattern prints" to be used as guides for the teams of colorists employed in the project, and to oversee their work. ... With Audubon's project as the impetus, Robert Havell Jr. consented to reestablish the partnership with his father. They agreed that he would undertake the engraving of the plates, with his father to supervise their printing and coloring. For the first year or so of their collaboration, there were problems with the colorists under the elder Havell's supervision. However, by June 1828 Robert Havell Sr. had retired, and the partnership was officially dissolved. (Source: Joseph Goddu, "The Making of Audubon: The Birds of America" Antiques Magazine, (November 2002).)
John James Audubon (Designer, draftsman, and publisher)
04/26/1785-01/27/1851
Works include Birds of America (1827-38) and Vivaparus Quadrupeds of North America (1845-51).
London, London, England, United Kingdom, Europe
Plate engraved, printed and colored by the Havells in London.
West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, South, United States, North America
Painted by Audubon while at Oakley, the Pirrie plantation near St. Francisville, where he was employed as a tutor during the summer of 1821. He wrote on the painting: "Drawn from Nature by J.J. Audubon, Bayou Sara, Louisiana, Sep\r 27\th, 1821."
1830-1839
1. Inscription; Bottom left beneath image; Drawn from Nature by John J. Audubon, F.R.S.E. M.W.S.
2. Inscription; Bottom right beneath image; Engraved by R.Havell, Jun.\r
3. Inscription; Bottom right of center; Printed & Coloured by R. Havell, Sen.\r
Zoological illustration
Ink; Watercolor; Paper (wove)
Aquatint, Etched, Engraved, Hand colored, Painted
38.9 (H) , 25.7 (W) , 18.6 (Image H) , 11.3 (Image W)
98.8 (H) , 65.2 (W) , 18.6 (Image H) , 11.3 (Image W)
H at left. W at bottom. Plate H: 19.5 in. (49.5 cm). Plate W: 12.2 in. (31.0 cm).
Audubon, John James
London, England, United Kingdom, Europe
I
Top left (sideways): "J WHATMAN/ TURKEY MILL/ 1827"
Hand colored with watercolors
From the first edition double-elephant folio of John James Audubon, The Birds of America (London: J. J. Audubon, 1827-39). Plate legend varies; second state plate legend is N.\o 4. Plate, XIX./ Louisiana Water Thrush,/ TURDUS AQUATICUS. Aud,/ Male./ Indian Turnip. Arum triphyllum./ Engraved, Printed, & Coloured, by R. Havell.
Text available soon.
[Book] Low, Susanne M. 2002 A Guide to Audubon's Birds of America.
• Plate listed on pp. 39-40.